Museum, Restaurant Memorial Added To Plans For Subdivision

March 16, 1999

BENSENVILLE — A proposed subdivision at the site of Plentywood Farm restaurant could include a local-history museum memorializing the defunct landmark.

Mitroff Inc., which has a sales agreement with Plentywood Farm owners, has submitted plans for a development with 25 single-family homes starting at $250,000, said Robert Glees, community development director. Village officials tried to rescue the popular restaurant in December after it was announced it would close Jan. 1, but they could not find private investors to finance a takeover.

Though the restaurant and the Wellwood Banquet Room are slated for demolition, Mitroff has suggested building a smaller facility of similar design and incorporating some materials from the original structures, Glees said.

"They're planning to build something that captures the architecture and remembers the site. They're looking to reuse parts of the existing buildings: the paneling, the stone fireplace, some of the lights. It will have a covered walkway, just like the existing building does. It will be something to memorialize Plentywood Farm and serve the community," he explained.

Mitroff plans to use the museum as its sales office until all the subdivision's homes are sold, then donate it to the Bensenville Park District for use by the Bensenville Historical Society, said Park District Director William Grady. While the museum will contain some 19th Century farm equipment used as decorations in Plentywood Farm, it will focus more on Bensenville-area history than on the restaurant, he added.